The Year That Was

Before I begin writing this entry, I went through all my blog entries written this year. I can't believe it. So many thing has actually happened. Some good, some I could do without, but all in all, they have make the year interesting and enriching. I begin the year with some wishes. The biggest thing that has happened this year, I got a new job! Yeay! And the icing on the cake, I got a bonus before I leave my previous company :) I just received my confirmation letter today. That's a good way to end the year isn't it?

I still do not have an aquarium. I could easily get one but the thought that I might not take care of the fishes properly makes me think twice, thrice, and many more times. It would be nice to have one, but I can live without it. I managed to go on several short holiday over the weekend. I shouldn't complaint though. That is better than nothing. What with not being able to take any leave during my probation period and the many projects in my previous company, I'm content with any short holiday I can get. I did not get any vouchers from optical shops but I finally ordered my new specs today. Finally, I'm going to replace my about-6-years-old specs. I think that's a good way to end the year by fulfilling all my wishes and celebrating my confirmation at work :)

Hmmm... what are other things I want to highlight before the year ends? Let's see....

- I have my first blogger meet. I'm glad I went.
- I changed my IC long before the mad rush.
- A close friend got married. She has moved to another state so I have one less friend to hang out with. Sigh!
- I'm still unlucky in the matters of the heart. This is one example.
- I got a phone line and has finally gotten streamyx too.
- I met with an accident. Luckily I was fine.

Fortunately I have a blog. Otherwise, I wouldn't remember all the things I've gone through the whole year. I don't keep diaries. I don't know how to write diaries. It's a good thing blog exist.

Finally, 'HAPPY NEW YEAR' everyone.

Streamyxed

Ahahahaha.... I'm finally streamyxed. I have no time to post a long entry. There're so many things to do. I just want to record this memorable event here :)

I Got My Wheels Back

I got my wheels back. Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! That was last Saturday after work actually. I had no time to blog about it earlier. I went for a massage session that Saturday evening and whole day shopping on Sunday. That's from 11 a.m. and I reached home at almost 9. Really lepas gian after 2 weeks without wheels. My feet were so tortured that the massage session the day before was like nothing at all. Monday after work I went window-shopping again. It rained cats and dogs that I decided to stop at a shopping complex, have dinner and jalan-jalan. I also don't want to go back through Jalan Sg. Buloh and risk getting caught in a flash flood. I just got my car from the workshop. I don't want to send it to the workshop again.

I was praying, thanking God I got my car back and is able to drive it from the moment I got my car back until now. No more commuter, LRT, bus and relying on my brother and colleague for transportation.

The worst part of the whole deal was the bus I took on Friday. I got a seat after standing for a few minutes. I thought that was better than the day before. I had to stand from the moment I got on the bus until I reached my place. That was more than 1-hour trip. I was wrong. After some time, I realized there's an odd shape leaning at my left shoulder. I was looking outside the window the whole time. When I turned my face to see what was it that was leaning against my shoulder, I instantly reacted by moving away from it and almost squashed the big Malay guy sitting beside me against the window.

An old, skinny Chinese man leans his crotch on my shoulder. Yikes! A crotch near my face. He didn't look apologetic at all. When I look up, he turned his face away. As if by turning away, he disassociates his crotch with him. He moved away a little bit for a while. I tried to squeeze myself as little as I can (if that is possible). My whole muscle was tensed. I almost forgot to breath. Then he leaned at me again. I almost elbowed him. "Iiieee.... bagi karang" and I make an elbowing action. The Malay lady standing beside him gives me the encouragement. "Bagi jer. Biar dia rasa. Kurang ajar betul!" The image of him doubling up from pain flashes through my mind. Do I want to do that? Iiieee... my poor elbow. He moved away a little bit again. I hold one big bag on my left side so he won't be able to lean so near to me.

The Malay guy sits quietly beside me. He didn't budge one little bit. Didn't say a word. Then the old man did it again. When I looked up, he looked away. Hello! Hello! I called to him but he kept looking away. It's not as if he can't stand somewhere else. It's a bit cramped but if he is decent enough, he would change his position. I'm contemplating of standing up and ask him to move and stand away from my seat. I don't care what everyone else would think. But as I was contemplating, the bus stopped and many people got down. So it will look very obvious if he didn't move away. He did and I breathe a sigh of relief. God! I want my car back.

Did you all blame me? Should I give my seat to the old man? I've made a vow, 'Old men can stand'. If old men can take viagra, if a grandfather can rape their grandchildren, if old man can do unthinkable things that you don't think an old man can do, they can stand. No doubt about that! Iiieeee.... the shape... the shape... I still remember the feel of that odd shape on my left shoulder. Old men can stand kan. So, stand lah!

Beautiful Windy Sunday Morning with Bright Blue Sky

It's a beaoooooootiful windy Sunday morning with bright blue sky and I'm stuck at home without wheels. Huwaarrgghhhh.... I want my car back. If only I can go on a day-trip to anywhere. I went to an outdoor training about 2-weeks ago and I felt so refreshed. It has been so long since I do any jungle trekking. Sigh!



We had to go down on a very steep slippery slope and one of the guy said loudly that the guys should sort of line up down the slope to help the ladies down. To which I loudly retorted that we ladies CAN go down on our own. Heh! Big mistake! Not long after that, I almost slipped. Luckily, I managed to grab hold of something. One of the guy offered help and I took it graciously. They're nice enough not to mention my remarks :)

The slope was really slippery. Even one of the guys almost slipped. The short jungle-trekking trip was really fun and it has made me look forward for another one.

I'm Without A Car

I'm without a car. I met with an accident near Jalan Duta toll last Saturday. One pakcik is trying to cut across lane from Smart Tag lane to the cash lane. I was at the Touch & Go lane. I don't have enough time to break, the right lane is not clear so I can't switch to the right lane, and if I switch to the left lane, the pakcik's car will hit me and I'd probably hit another car on the left lane. So to hit or be hit? I choose to hit. I'm lucky I wasn't even scratched. Things could've been worse.

My car will be in the workshop for 2-3 weeks or so says the mechanic. As a result, I couldn't go to the office on Saturday to prepare for my Monday and Tuesday training. Luckily, I've bought all the things I needed for potluck Raya gathering on Sunday. The gathering was a blast.

Back to my no car situation! On Monday, my brother sends me to a colleague's place so I can car pool. On Tuesday, my colleague was away, so begins my journey with the public transport. I haven't been on the public transport for years. My brother drop me at the nearest commuter station. That morning, I was on the commuter, changed to Putra LRT and then changed to STAR LRT. Don't ask! After work, I went back by bus. In one day, I've used almost all the public transportation available, except monorail.

The walk to get the bus brings back memories of my younger days. The smell from Mamak's restaurant, the smell of diesel and cigarette smoke, it was quite nice to experience it all after so long. But all the walking from one station to another makes me short of breath and that reminds me of my age and my fitness level. The bus didn't stop near my apartment, so I called my brother to drive me there.

Today, I tried stopping at a different station and walk the remaining distance to office. It took me 25 minutes. Sigh! On my way back, my brother's not around so I have to climb the hill with my heels to get to my apartment. Ohhh... I don't need any other exercise if I do this every day. The burning on my thighs are enough to tell me the fat affected. I want my car back....

On an unrelated note, as Murphy's Law has dictated, whatever could go wrong, will go wrong. My Monday and Tuesday training, the system was down the whole of two days. I tried my best to make the best of the situation and cracking my head to find methods to make up for the lack of hands-on training. How glad I am the training was finally over though I can't help feeling bad that the participants were shortchanged without the hands-on training. Sigh!

The Disastrous 'Blind Outing'

This is a story of one of the worst blind outing I've ever experienced. If you don't know what 'blind outing' is, substitute with 'blind date'. Except, it was not really a date. I refuse to call it a date because it is not!

I knew him from the virtual world. We email each other 2-3 times, and then we exchanged SMSes. We did not 'click' with each other. That explains the very very sparse email and SMSes between us. He said he's an artist. Not the artist who sings or acts, but the artist who draws and paints. The first few SMSes from him asked whether he could draw me. The first few SMSes from me said I'm not interested. So then we stopped SMSing each other for a while. He's not interested to get to know me. He just wants a subject for his painting. When I mentioned my blog, he said he's too lazy to read any blogs. There are thousands out there.

I'm not going to force anyone to read my blog. I know my blog is just one from thousands of blogs out there, but if he really wants to get to know me, he should at least show some interest and read my entries. The worst thing, he pretended he has read some of my entries and ask silly questions about a guy I'm supposed to have written in my blog. I have not written about any guy so I asked whether he really read my blog to which he admitted he has not. He just assumed any girl would have written about a guy in their blog. What a stupid assumption!

Well, now I am going to write about a guy. About him, that arrogant artist.

That arrogant artist is also a part-time writer with an unknown professional magazine. I've never heard of it, I never noticed it in the magazine rack. He didn't want to read my blog but kept pushing me to go look for the magazine with his article in it. If you do not want to read my writings, why should I read yours? Well, I simply have no time to look for it. I did look around whenever I bought my monthly must-buy magazines. I never saw it on the rack, so I never bother about it. I thought it didn't exist, but he give me the link to it's online version. OK! So the magazine does exist. It is still unknown to me and very unpopular hahahahaha... He volunteered to give me the last 6 month publications of the magazine for free. I said I don't have the time to meet him.

After that, we still exchange SMSes once in while. Just asking what you're doing and things like that. He's not my enemy so whenever he SMS, I'd politely reply. One day, I have a problem with my car. He asked what I was doing and I replied telling him the predicament I was in. He never replied. He should have the basic courtesy to ask whether I was OK and things like that but he never replied. Not that I expect him to do anything. I'll figure out some way to solve my problem and I did.

After a few days, I send an SMS to him and said what kind of friend do I have. I have car problem and he never asked whether my car or I was OK. To which he replied, he tried to find funny things to say but can't. The truth, I have a lousy friend. To which I fully agree. Heh! And he asked if he could make up for it with dinner. I said there is no need for that.

Then, one day he SMS and asked if we could go out for a drink. I was busy but I said if he can come to my place, not my apartment, just somewhere around the area, I could spare a few minutes for a drink. That was a big mistake. He agreed. He stayed somewhere in Cheras (I have no idea where) and is willing to travel across the continent to have a drink with me. Well, it appears that way because Cheras and my place are like the South and North Pole. So he came and I went out to look for him at one of the many restaurants around. He noticed me first and my first impression of him, 'Oh my God, pls don't let my brother or anyone I know noticed me here.'

How do you expect an artist to dress? Why do artist have to be messy anyway? He's stout, about my height, wearing thick glasses, facial hair all over his face and a shoulder length messy hair. The hair look unwashed too. Is that kurta or some kind of cotton blouse he's wearing? Whoever said looks are not important must be blind or is very very short sighted. A friend said maybe he pretended to be ugly to see how I'd react. If he did, like I care. We can't even have a decent conversation without him annoying me. I don't think politics is a good topic to bring up in a conversation the first time you met someone. If he wanted to talk politics, may I suggest the kedai kopi?

He also made a mistake of assuming where my hometown is. I'm very very annoyed especially when he insisted I'm the one who told him that. Never assume! I'm sure you'll be wrong. When I told him I was born in Seremban and both my parents are from N9, he asked whether we were originally a Minang. I asked what did he meant by 'originally' a Minang? As in the Malays are originally orang asli? I was just being sarcastic. He could pass as an orang asli himself, though I wouldn't dare offend any orang asli with that suggestion. There are many better looking orang asli I've seen than he is.

He asked which university I go to and then he mentioned about how ill-managed my university was, how bad the people in the management were, etc., etc., etc. Oh my God! Who did he think he is? He can't even take care of himself properly and yet he complaints about this and that. I don't care who he knew or where he got his sources of information (if there really is any), but I can't wait for this disastrous outing to end.

Did I mention he scraped his teeth with the end of the drinking straw in between our conversations if you can call our exchange of stupid and sarcastic remarks that? The only silver lining I see from my disastrous outing is, I can write about it in my blog. It would probably make an interesting read.

We soon parted and he managed to say, "See you again some time", like an after thought before I reached my car. I don't think so you arrogant artist. We haven't exchanged any SMSes after that outing. If he did send an SMS, I'd be obliged to give a polite reply. Thankfully, he didn't. He probably couldn't take my sarcasms any more :)

So sue me for giving much importance on look. I may not look like a model but I can proudly say I look like any normal person you see around you. A male colleague said I'm too picky. I will never find the perfect guy. I never said I was looking for a perfect guy. Firstly, try decent and normal. Then, we'll continue from there.

The Weeks That Were

The next time someone tries to make "brilliant" deduction of my hometown or origin, I'd tell him or her I'm from Zimbabwe or Timbuktu.

The next time you forgot your eye make up cleaner, try Vicks Vaporub. I did just that when I went back to my mom's house last Raya. I have 3 eye make up cleaner and I forgot to bring even one. I'm not going to hassle myself by going to the shops to buy another one so I cleaned my waterproof mascara with Vicks in order for me to be able to perform my prayer. You have to be careful though to apply it only on your eyelashes. Avoid your eyes at all cost or you're going to pay the price. I tried Vicks because we used Axe Brand Oil or famously known as Minyak Cap Kapak by the locals, to clean liquid paper smeared on our hands when we run out of thinner during school time a long time ago. So probably any type of 'minyak angin' can do the trick. I dare not try Axe Brand Oil anywhere near my eyes. Vicks is milder. (Caution: Follow at your own risk)

Now I know for sure I'm fat with fat and not fat with water/liquid since I only loss 1 kg during the fasting month despite controlling what ate. For that, I managed to button up two of my kebayas I can't wear previously. I have many more clothes I want to fit into but I have to make more effort for that. OK.. OK... I'm far from fat but you get what I mean. I have to loose some weight to avoid wasting so many clothes that I can't wear now. A colleague loose 4-5 kg during Ramadhan and I envy him so much. But I think he'll put on weight as fast as he loose it after the fasting month too so I'm going to stick with loosing weight slowly.

I got praise for my chicken rendang :)

I know now I have a kinesthetic learning style. I learn by doing. Having said that, most of us have combination learning styles. I learn by visuals too. Auditory is the learning style I preferred least. I'm sure for many people too. So why do we have to sit and listen to lectures in our education system?

My work schedule is already full until January next year. Sigh! Can't take any leave until February. I must plan my annual leaves from now or I'd end up not able to utilize any of my leave due to work commitments. I badly need a holiday.

This morning, I got my first nasi lemak after soooo.... long. I think I haven't had any even before Ramadhan, but then, when it is not fasting month, we wouldn't crave for the things we can easily get. And then, the fasting month, followed by Raya. After a few days, I started with my 6 days fasting. Finally, I celebrated my second Raya today :) Ohhh.. the nasi lemak tasted so heavenly.

After an extremely busy work schedule, I can't think of anything to write. Sigh!

Blunders

Scene: During lunch at the pantry. You read that right. Lunch!

Some background information: We rarely had the opportunity to mingle and socialize with people from other units even though we're on the same department and same floor, separated just by our cubicles. Each unit will pretty much work and socialize just among themselves. Pantry is one place where we socialize or tries to socialize with people from other units.

Cast: Blunderer (you just have to accept this as a word) and yours truly.

Blunder Bangang 1
Blunderer: Bila balik Penang?
Me: Bila plak I jadi orang Penang?
(I immediately feel like I don't want to talk to her. How typical and she probably thought she has make the most brilliant deduction ever.)

Blunder Bangang 2
Blunderer: Balik mana raya?
Me: Dekat sini jer. Family kat sini.
Blunderer: Dua-dua family kat sini ker?
(It took me a while to digest what she meant. Ohhh... 'dua-dua' is referring to my non-existent spouse. Luckily someone else interrupted our conversation and I just leave the question unanswered even after the interruption ends.)

Lessons learnt: Never assume anything and make yourself look stupid and annoys other people.

Extra remarks: Luckily I was not fasting or else my 'pahala' would shrink to the level of non-existence with all the thoughts about her going through my head.

I Don't Get It

Tudung Wardina is fine with me. Tudung Bienda is also fine with me. Tudung Waheeda is fine with me too. Wardina, Bienda and Waheeda are pretty faces in our music and entertainment industry that look good in tudung.

But I don't quite get Tudung Erra Fazira because Erra is not wearing any tudung. Since I don't follow all her movies, probably she's wearing one in one of her movies. So the sellers name a tudung after her. If that is not the case, I don't know what are the basis of using her name for the tudung .

But even worse than that are Selendang Mawi Original, Selendang Mawi, Tudung Mawi 1, Tudung Mawi 2. Now, I'm sure Mawi never wears one. I got nothing against the tudung 's name actually but I find it ridiculous because I can't really explain what I want to the shopkeeper. I saw a tudung style I like but the design and color is not really to my liking. So I ask the sales girl what is this tudung style called. She told me it is 'Selendang Aisyah'.

Then I went to another shop, I saw the tudung with the same pattern but this time, it is called 'Selendang Mawi'. Then when I walk around some more, other sales girls called out to me and show a different style of 'Selendang Mawi'. In another shop, the similar selendang is called 'Selendang Sarimah'. Now I'm confused though the 'Selendang Sarimah' sounded more logical because she's wearing one. I continued walking and saw two signs, 'Tudung Mawi 1', 'Tudung Mawi 2' and all of them have different styles. Sigh! I'm sure even Mawi's fiancé didn't wear the Mawi tudung or selendang.

I stop mentioning the name of the scarves but instead describe the style to every salesperson selling the scarves whether they have some in the stock. Sometimes I'm too lazy to look around for myself. Finally, I bought one but don't ask me what it is called.

Ramadhan and Discovered Dreams

*Warning: A long and boring entry but I wanted to record this for personal future reading. Who knows I might forget about this part of my life in 2-3 years to come.

Muslims are allowed to leave office at 5 p.m. so ever since Ramadhan started, I've always leave office at 5 sharp. The time I reached home varies between 5.45 to 6.30 depending on the traffic jam. If I'm not mistaken, I've only bought food for Iftar once. At other times, I cooked my meals. I started cooking immediately when I reached home. Sometimes the dishes are ready by Iftar time, sometimes I've to continue cooking after breaking fast with some fruits and plain water.

After prayer, I'd do some work until about 11.30. I'll wake up for Sahur between 4.30 to 5.00 a.m. Once or twice I almost missed Sahur but still managed to reheat the food and eat something at supersonic speed because I woke up at 5.15. Then I'll continue doing my work before Subuh prayer and then get ready to go to office.

I reached office very early this Ramadhan month so I'll continue doing my work. If I have no training, I'll only stop for prayers and not take a nap at lunchtime like many did. If I have a training to conduct, I'll take a 20-30 minutes nap during lunchtime. I needed the rest as I have to talk, stand and walk around for about 6-7 hours.

Once I was too tired to open my eyes after Isya' prayers I decided to sleep. Then I woke up at 2 a.m. and continue preparing some training materials. I did not sleep right up to 11.30 p.m. I think that is a record for me. Sometimes we surprised ourselves when we're under pressure.

Today, I decided to stay at home and being able to enjoy doing the mundane things people do at home like washing the clothes and cleaning the house. That is relaxing. Cleaning the house IS therapeutic. I even cleaned the ceiling fan. You should see me armed with haze mask and wet clothes, standing on a chair and clean the fan. The mask would prevent me from accidentally inhaling any allergens and triggers non-stop sneezing that would spoil my weekend. I thought I felt cooler air from the fan, without the dirt and grime. Or could it be because it has been cloudy and then it rains almost the whole late afternoon right up to dusk today?

I've worked like a zombie these past few days. I've not think about Kuih Raya, Baju Raya, Langsir Raya and anything Raya. Any thoughts I have is about the trainings, what to cook for Iftar and making sure I wake up for Sahur or I'll have a tough time talking and standing for 6-7 hours during training.

Tomorrow, finally, I'll go Raya shopping with mom. My brother wants to tag along so he can make sure we did not overspend. And probably as a bodyguard too just in case some disturbance happened at Jalan TAR again. As for the over spending, he did not have to worry. Not that I have the money to spend. As for being a bodyguard, I have no problem. He can carry our things hehehe... The 'no money' thought got me thinking. I love doing what I'm doing. I mean my work. But I'm not making that much money as compared to the time I spent working. Does that mean you won't make much money doing things you like? Sigh! I know many people has proven me wrong so what did I do wrong here?

This thought has been in my subconscious for a few days. Some kids program on TV triggered it. I did not watch the kids program but heard their discussion while leaving the TV on as I go about preparing meals or doing other things. I don't exactly remember the conversation but I remember thinking about my dreams or non-existent dreams after listening to their dialogue. I did write about not having dreams anymore but have many interests quite some time back. I was wrong. I think I have suppressed all my dreams because of responsibility to family and being side tracked by other things when I started working. It could also be because I thought the dream is unachievable. Sometimes being logical and rational did not help. We'd ignore crazy ideas that may make unachievable dreams come true.

But now that the kids program has triggered some memories of long forgotten dreams, I started to remember the many dreams I once have. Luckily, it is not too late for me to pursue them. I've proven to myself again and again that I can get what I want when I want it hard enough. It may take some time, it may take a longer route, but InsyaAllah I'll achieve it one day :)

I'm not ready to share my dreams yet. I'll keep them private for the time being. I just want to share how thinking about them can make me smile. We can only plan and hopefully we'll succeed. If life have something else for us, it is fine too as long as we've tried. If we hope good luck to find us, that might not happen until our next life. What bothers me before is I don't think I want anything. So besides pursuing my many interests, I have nothing else to look forward to. Now that I remembered, I must make plans. So, I'll end today's entry with another smile :)

Second Birthday

This date, two years ago, I started blogging. I really can't believe it. I never thought my blog would last this long because I normally have a short attention span on any hobbies. Blogging can't be called a hobby anymore because people take up hobbies in their spare time. Most bloggers I knew eat, sleep, walk, breathe and everything with their blog. Maybe I should rephrase that. What I meant by 'bloggers I knew' is I visited their blogs and read their thoughts. I haven't met many bloggers because I'm more comfortable being an anonymous in a virtual world. Come to think of it, I'm an anonymous in the real world too but that's another story.

Unlike some bloggers, I didn't really make friends with fellow bloggers. The relationship (if any) remains in the virtual world. I've seen better blogs than mine appearing and disappearing in the blogging scene. I'm not in the same league with the famous bloggers but I hold it on my own. It HAS been two years now. I didn't get many comments but I see I have a steady stream of visitors everyday. I wonder who they are and why they keep coming even when I let my blogs being cobwebbed sometimes. The few people who would comment on my blog has disappeared too since I've been too busy to blog hop and drop comments in my favorite blogs lately. It is OK. It is nice to get feedback but not having any doesn't mean I'll stop writing. It also means I have less pressure to drop by at their blogs to comment. I really can't help it. When I'm busy, I really am busy.

It is definitely easier to maintain a blog than a relationship. I can leave my blog for weeks or months and it will not complaint when I started writing again. I can complaint about the world, the work, as much as I can too and the blog will just accept it. Not a squeak, not a word. I've been wondering too how is it if I'm in a relationship or have a family and have to work like I do right now. Anyway, since I'm in neither, I'll just let that thought pass. I have a choice to leave the apartment in a mess, the laundry basket overflowing, the dishes in the sink, the hairs on the floor (I shed hairs like a cat) and I appreciate every minute of it.

I do not have to live up to anyone's expectation. I can be serious, I can be boring, I can be selfish and I can be a bit*h too. It's wonderful to have a blog :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BLOG :)

While I'm making some time to blog today, I'd like to wish everyone Ramadhan Mubarak and Happy Fasting.

Thinking Of You

I miss someone so much lately. He could be an important part of my life once but I choose not to let it happen. I thought I was doing the right thing for my sake but now I'm not sure of my own reasoning anymore. He's been out of my life for months and I was fine. I thought about him once in a while but not like this. It has been weeks and I can't stop thinking about him. I really can't explain it but I'll try. Sometimes a song, or a smell of food, or an atmosphere of a place can trigger some memories. In my case, when I remembered some thing, I'm reminded of him. But the things that trigger my feelings can be any thing. And anything really means any thing. Not limited to the things that we've done together.

The mysterious thing is, I haven't really been thinking about him for months and now suddenly, out of the blue, I can't get him out of my head. A friend suggested the 'mandrem' thing but I'm still sane so I'm gonna rule that out. By 'sane' I mean I haven't contacted him yet and haven't thrown myself at his feet. Another friend suggested that probably I thought of him so much because he's thinking of me too. That sounded much better but even though that's sweet, I don't really believe it either. Imagine you like someone and kept thinking of him or her and that feeling is not reciprocated because he/she have no idea of how you felt, so even though you're thinking of them and hoping that they're thinking of you but they didn't right! Sigh!

I'm still thinking of what I should do with this feelings. I've been busy. I still am. I have four training classes to conduct this month and I don't have the luxury of missing someone. I need all the time I can get to prepare my materials. Then what am I doing writing this entry huh. Another sigh!

She Called Me 'Kak'

She’s the IT lady. Not ‘tea lady’ mind you. People may hear it wrongly but you shouldn’t if it is written down. If we have IT guys, we can have IT ladies right. We called her to install some program into some of the PCs. Unlike in my previous company, we can install anything on our own, this is a more controlled environment. It can get very frustrating sometimes but I do not complaint that much. I can do whatever I want on my own laptop so let’s just follow the rules at work.

Since I’m the only one who can explain things that an IT person can understand immediately without having to decipher a layman’s language, she asked me all the questions she needed to know and asked for my extension. The only thing that bothers me is she called me ‘Kak’! For one, I don’t think it is very professional to called people Kak and Abang at work. I also think she looks older than I am. Perasannya dia muda daripada kita. Anyway, I tried to rationalize things. People from my batch were not so much into IT last time. So she probably is younger than me despite not looking very young.

Not long after that episode, I went for lunch with a colleague. She has an 18-year-old daughter but I called her by her name and we have no problem with that. Then, we met someone from another department, another floor, known to my colleague in the lift. It is only natural for my colleague to invite her along. I don’t have any problem with that except when she started referring to me as ‘Kak’ despite having been properly introduced.

This really can’t be. I thought she looked older than me so I asked how old she is. Point blank after she called me ‘Kak’ for like 10 times. She said, "Oh! I’m 34. I’m not embarrassed to announce my age." To which my colleague replied, "Than you can’t called her ‘Kak’. She’s younger than you." I only smiled. Hehehehe... Revenge is sweet. OK! OK! I’m over reacting but I wonder do I appear older than my age or my maturity shines through and make me look older hehehe... I didn’t sound very mature now do I but I can act any way I want in my blog :D

On a serious note, at work, I believe we should call our peers by their name unless they refer themselves as ‘Kak A (bukan nama sebenar)’ to you. If you’re not sure, ask how you should address them. If they are in a higher position, you can use Puan or Cik. I have no problem if people wrongly called me Puan. But if you called me Kak and you’re not supposed to, I might forget I’m a mature 31 years old.

-young-at-heart-

Cobwebbed Blog

I tiptoed inside and look around. Yikes!!! I see cobwebs everywhere. The place is dusty too. Sign of neglect is everywhere. I put on the mask (I have some leftovers from the bad haze time not long ago) and started to clean the area up. I hope the mask will reduce the possibility of me getting an allergy reaction to all the dust in the air while cleaning the space. The space I’m mentioning here is my BLOG!!! My poor, poor blog. I’ve been extremely busy the past few weeks and have not been able to do any update despite having so many things to share. Sigh!

Not only my virtual space has been ignored. Even my apartment has been neglected. I’ve been sleeping at 2.00 to 4.00 in the morning lately. Wake up early, go to work, come back and take a nap, wake up and continue working again. I’ve clean up my apartment today. I still haven’t tackled the bathroom but I’m beat. I’ll leave that for later. Maybe like, next week. I’m not a superwoman and will not pretend to be one. I wanted to do something about my virtual space for now :)

I’ll try to catch up with my writing as much as I can before the hectic cycle begins again. I’ve started giving out training (for my new job) and until I’m satisfied with the content and the material, I’ll be very busy. I’m not complaining. Despite the frantic pace I’m going right now, I’m loving it.

Rational Justification

I think I'm too serious for my own good. People or friends would say something in jest or as a joke and I'd give a serious, rational justification to them. Then the people or friends would tell me not to be too emotional, it's just a jest or a joke and I'd be pissed off because they say I'm emotional. Duh! I'm not emotional lah. I'm just too serious. OK! So maybe I'm emotional now just because people say I'm emotional. I'm always rational or tried to be rational so being called emotional didn't sit very well with me.

Mr. Y is tall, dark, handsome and very much a married man with two kids. We join the new company on the same day so naturally we became close. He's the only person I feel I can talk too when there are things that I better not share with the people at work if I want to get my employment confirmation. For those who knew me, Mr. Y is very safe with me. His wife doesn't have anything to worry about. But that doesn't stop other people from gossiping especially the group from our team.

Scene 1
A is new too but she joins a month after both of us. Even before A joins us, our team has match make A with H. They're both single, over the age of 40 and on the plump side. To steer the attention away from him, H decided to turn the attention to Mr. Y and me because he saw us having lunch together the day he had lunch with A :) Have you ever noticed that married man will just laugh if people taught or assume they're single and available instead of putting the record straight? I may talk about this in another entry. While Mr. Y goes hehehe... I steered the attention back to H and A. I went out to lunch with whomever in our team who is around the office. Everyone else is away that day, either on a different floor, meeting here and there, which left only Mr. Y around. So I went out to lunch with Mr. Y. See! I'm doing that 'rational justification' thing again.

Scene 2
We're having lunch in a group. The only place left is between me and B, and another one in between another colleague. Mr. Y chooses to sit beside me. Probably it's nearer than to go around and sit at the other end. A colleague, Mr. S, who came late, then remarked that I always sit beside Mr. Y. I sat at the end so he assumed Mr. Y sit first and then I choose the seat. To which I responded, "I didn't sit beside him. He sits beside me. I choose the spot because I want to sit in front of M (another female colleague)". They laughed and can't usik2 anymore coz there's nothing else they can say.

But then I thought, why on earth do I take it so seriously. I should probably cheekily answer because Mr. S is late so I have to sit beside the next good-looking guy around. I know it's not a big deal but I just realized how serious I was. Every joke, every jest, I'd give my rational justification as if my life depended on it. I answer it in a joking tone actually but the answer is a very serious answer. That is why if I answer like that in SMS or email where people can't hear my tone, they'd say I'm serious. They'd say I'm emotional. Sigh!

Scene 3
Mr. Y SMSed. He said he feels like he's coming down with fever. If he didn't come to office tomorrow, it's probably because he got an MC. We're each other's messenger. When I thought I'd be late because I got stuck in a traffic jam, I called him too. We don't SMS each other after work. There's no reason for me to exchange SMS with a married man lah right. But when Mr. Y said he's coming down with fever tonight, I replied OK (meaning I understand the MC part and will relay the message to the relevant person), I also wish him to get well soon and take care.

Then I receive a reply which said, "TQ. Concern jugak u pada i". Yikes! Mana boleh camtu!!! I must give my 'rational justification' lah kan. So I said, "That is just courtesy wishes. I'm sure your wife would fuss and be concerned for you that whether I said anything or not is immaterial". I got another reply which said, "take it easy sue. jgn emotional sgt. i saje je kacau u". Emotional??! Emotional??! I wasn't emotional. Now, I am! I was torn between leaving thing as it is or making sure he knows I'm not emotional. I choose the latter. Sigh! Now that makes me look like a very emotional person.

Hmmm... I must change my ways. I don't have to justify my every action to people right! In a way, I am a bit concern with Mr. Y. He's not just a colleague. We've become friends too. It's not as if my colleague thought I'd marry Mr. Y in Perlis or Siam. If I wanted to get hitched with a married man, I'd have done so a long time ago. OK! No more 'rational justification'.

Seven Summonses

Oh oh... I'm in trouble. Upon checking my summons today, found out I have 7 summonses dated back to 2002. 6 of them are for speeding. I'm sooo... in trouble. Sigh! Have to 'korek' some money to pay the summonses while the police are offering 50% discount. Arrgghhh.... There goes my raya shopping.

Note: If you want to check your summons via SMS, type POLIS SAMAN <CarNo> SEMUA or POLIS SAMAN <IC No> SEMUA and send to DAPAT (32728).

The SEMUA command is to get all your summonses. I have to make that clear because if we just read the capitalized letters in the SMS, it reads POLIS SAMAN SEMUA hehehe... By the way, I don't have any summons when I use my IC No. but the SMS keep on coming with my car no. So you might want to check for both. You'll be charge RM0.15 for every SMS sent and RM0.50 for every SMS received.

When Keeping A 'Hantu Raya' Can Be A Good Thing

When your neighbor's kids are the devils incarnate themselves, even their parents have given up on giving advice, having a 'hantu raya' would probably help. Some neighbors' kids are giving my mom major headaches who in turn, passes the headache to me as she will keep calling to complaint. Not that I can do anything about it. Probably having a 'hantu raya' would help scare the kids away and leave an old makcik in peace. No wonder some people keep 'it' in the olden days. Maybe even now too. It doesn't have to be real. A good rumour would help. Can someone please start a rumour my mom keeps a 'hantu raya'? So does this wish of mine make me a good or lousy daughter ah?

Can the real hantu raya please stand up, please stand up
But keep away ok...

Temporarily Single

During school holidays, there is a phenomenon called 'temporarily single' among some married men. Their wife/wives and children 'balik kampung' and the husbands can't afford to take their annual leave for many reasons. Some reasons are legitimate, others... their wife better not know it or we might see some flying saucers around the house. During this 'temporarily single' phenomenon, ladies must beware of buayas celebrating their bachelorhood.
Note: Ladies mentioned here are inclusive of the buayas wife/wives and single ladies alike and the buaya mentioned here is not this buaya :)

X: Sue, jom tengok wayang.
Me: Tengok wayanggg??? Pegilah balik kampung ambik anak bini bawak balik.

X (not real name) is very much married and 'temporarily single'. He certainly asked the wrong person. He could be joking. He could also make it sound like a joke but hoping for the best. Whichever it is, only God knows. I wonder what if X and all the Xs in this world happened to ask the juz-wanna-have-fun kinda girl, one thing could lead to another. Even if X started out with just want to have fun too, emotions and feelings are very tricky, risky and can't be trusted. So many Xs around us who choose not to 'prevent' things before it happens. They are the Xs who is supposed to be more rational than the female species. Hmmpphh....

Admiring The Blue Skies

I love watching the skies this past few days. I'm glad I'm able to find simple pleasure just by watching the bright blue skies. After the bad haze we experienced, I'm still excited when I see faraway trees are green instead of dark grey. I'm glad I can see all the tall and majestic looking buildings in KL. I can really see the windows and the lights.

I felt like someone with poor eyesight who has just gotten her first spectacles. Everything seems much clearer now. Despite my allergies and mild asthma, I'm glad to say that my vision is the only thing affected during the recent haze.

I can't stop admiring the bright blue skies and the spots of cottony white clouds looks like billowing waves. A colleague suggested maybe I need a seaside vacation to which I fully agree. Another colleague didn't quite get my fascination with the blue sky. But I'm sure today many will miss the bright blue skies as it is pouring in KL this afternoon.

I didn't expect the rain despite the grey clouds. We went out for lunch as usual and can't return to office due to the heavy rain. After waiting for quite sometime and the rain didn't show any sign of stopping, we decided to hunt for umbrella. I already have 3. One at home, one in the office and another in the car. I have no choice but to buy another.

I didn't have a folding umbrella so I might as well buy one. Giant's stock of umbrella was sold out so we went to Guardian. The cashier smiles looking at so many people buying umbrellas. The 3 umbrellas we purchased come up to almost RM50. Any salesperson would smile wide. Even our colleagues who didn’t go out very far for lunch laughed looking at our newly bought umbrella with the price tag still intact.

It is OK. Let the rain wash the world and hopefully tomorrow we can see bright blue skies again.

Handsome??? and the Ugly

Scene 1:

Guy friend: Baju you ni nampak tak kena lah. Pendek tak, panjang pun tak.
Me: Yer ker? (Dalam hati: Amboi mamat ni. Pandai nyer nak komplen. Dia ingat dia tu saper? Boyfriend pun bukan.)
Guy friend: Yer lah. I rasa kalau you potong bagi pendek nampak better.
Me: Hmm... (Dalam hati: Pandainyer mengomen dressing org. Macam lah dia tu punya dressing macho habis)

Scene 2:

Me: Eh I nak masuk kedai ni jap tengok-tengok.
Guy friend: Pakai baju macam ni lah. I suka tengok ladies wearing this kind of shirt.
Me: Laaa... takkan I nak pakai office wear on Sunday.
Guy friend: Apa salahnya.

That was one of those days when I don't feel like dressing up but I still have to go out because I've made a promise to see a friend. That male friend lah. I just pick one decent dress that I rarely wear coz I'm bored with the blouses I normally wear. I know the dress didn't fall nicely on my non-statuesque body due to the ever increasing 'bumper' size but what the heck.... it's not like I want to impress anybody.

This guy's dressing is quite unique. Or more appropriately described as uncommon. I don't normally see guys with his sense of style but I never complaint. He's a friend and I don't judge my friends by their dressing style as long as they're comfortable with it. We do criticize each other openly but to have him criticize my dressing like that is quite shocking.

Hellooo.... If you want my honest opinion, sometimes I should be embarrassed to be seen walking with you, you know! Since I don't really care about people's opinion, that thought never occurs to me. OK I lied. It did occur to me sometimes but I suppressed it. What other people think is not important. He's a friend and I will not make him uncomfortable with my comments on how he carries himself or his fashion style. Obviously, he didn't share the same thought.

He has just confirmed what I already know. No matter how 'selebet' a guy is, he still has a 'high' taste where girls are concerned. Hmmm... enough said :)

Kahwin! Tak Nak! Kahwin! Tak Nak!

Your wedding is in two weeks time. You thought you have all the questions answered. Questions like "why I'm getting married", "do I want to live my whole life with him/her", etc. But now you suddenly feel you're not sure of anything anymore. The only reason you can cite for getting married, your parent (father/mother) has high blood pressure. When you mentioned your uncertainty about the marriage and you don't feel like going through it, your parent almost fainted. The only reason you can cite for going through with the marriage is to make your family happy, to save face. The invitation is out.

He/she (let's call the person X) is a nice person. Someone you can depend on, someone safe, but that's all. You did not expect any fireworks, X did not set your heart racing, X cares for you in his/her own way and is there and willing to marry you and spend the rest of his/her life with you for whatever reason of his/her own. X said he/she loves you but there's only a dull feeling in your heart. You did not really care about X feelings. You know X will make a good spouse but shouldn't there be more than that when you want to spend the rest of your life with someone? There MUST be something more isn't it? Otherwise people will not go through sufferings and heartaches for something called LOVE.

Is this just pre-wedding jitters? What if your subconscious is trying to tell you something? That this is not right! How did one should feel come their wedding day anyway? Is it a calmness that you've made the right choice? Is it the turbulent feeling you're experiencing right now? Readers, would you continue with the wedding if you're in this situation?

It's not me. I'm not getting married yet. But when a friend (let's call this person Z) tells me about her feelings, the first thing I can think of is do not go back for the wedding if the family can't accept her last minute change of heart. The hell with saving face and making your family happy for a day or two if you're the one who is going to suffer for the rest of your life. So what if your parent is not well. We're gonna die one day anyway. Did I sound like an evil person? I am evil.

Z is hoping for a sign. I told her sometimes God will not give you any sign or maybe He did but you did not notice it or do not want to notice it. But you can't expect THE sign like in the movies. The haze will not suddenly go away and give you a bright blue sky as if celebrating your wedding. You will not suddenly found heart shape chocolate in a pack of square chocolate. You will not see unusual blink of your engagement ring as if calling you to quickly pair it with a wedding ring. You just have to find the answer in your heart.

If not continuing with the wedding is a mistake, the effect is not as much as when getting married is a mistake right? Too many parties will be involved. It will also be unfair to her husband-to-be. The right thing to do is of course to do some soul searching the moment she felt something is not right. Maybe 2 months ago. Or better still, before the engagement. Busying oneself with work to avoid thinking of the problem is not going to solve the problem. But if she did not feel right, it is still not too late now. I don't know what else to say. Z said she is too lazy to think so she will just go with the flow.

If one day I met a special someone, I wonder whether I'd go through the same thing. I wonder whether I'd feel the peacefulness of making the right decision or tumultuous feelings of insecurity? I think I'd flee the moment I feel something is not right. I did not wait for so long only to settle for second best. How sure are you?

To Z, I hope things will turn out well for you. If it didn't, I don't think you'll have a problem of going with the flow just like what you're doing now. I may sound harsh but we reap what we sow. Most of the time, the output depends on the input we give.

Input: Do not want to think. Just go with the flow.
Output: Hope for the best and prepare for the worst.

I know it is not easy. But no one ever said life is going to be easy. However, there are times when we get something great unexpectedly. Call it God's gift. I hope this is the one you'll be getting after what you went through in the past. All the best to you.

Broken Earth Cable

Nanoo.. nanoo.. the earth cable is broken and the planet is now moving haphazardly. It will probably move out of Milky Way if something is not done soon. Already, NASA fears the Earth will hit other planets or meteorite. Is that the kind of news you expected when you read the title? Read on...

I went out from office about 5.10 yesterday. It's Friday and I wanted to do my Friday routine. I wanted to go back to my mom's place on Saturday and she has ordered few things from the night market. I reached my car few minutes later, put the key in my ignition and turned. Nothing happened. Not even a single squeak. I check the radio, aircond and lights, they worked fine. I check if I accidentally press the alarm button to lock, I did not. I tried the ignition again, still silent. Oh oh...

I called my brother. Luckily, he did not have something on today so he said he'll come immediately. With the peak hour traffic, I have to wait for one hour for him to reach my office. My brother looked inside my bonnet and found a wire cutter. He asked me how did it get there. I shrugged and said maybe from my last car service. Then he saw a yellow bottle cap lying somewhere in between the wires. He shakes his head in amazement at his findings. I just smiled. What else can I say. He then changed my car battery with his. Nothing happened. So it's not due to dead battery, which is not a very good news. A dead battery means there is an easy solution. If it's not the battery, we have to find a mechanic. So we drove around the area to find a workshop, many are closed or are closing. My brother finally chooses the most dilapidated workshop in the area that didn't look like it'll close soon.

He said, nice looking workshops are rich. They'll probably over charge or not willing to do it. They don't really need the money if it is not convenient to them. The dilapidated workshop would want any business they can get. I'm impressed. Pretty good logic there. The mechanic there said he can follow us in another half an hour. Fine with me since I'm famished and there's a Mamak Restaurant nearby. I know this will probably take some time and if I'm hungry, my head will start to pound again. Is that gastric? Lately, if I'm hungry I'll get a headache.

So we ordered drinks and nasi lemak. The spoon looked dirty. Even my brother did not want to use it. We asked for another, the waiter gave us his 'menyampah' look and took a long time to come and give us clean pairs of fork and spoon. He just leaves the dirty forks and spoons on our table. He probably thought the next patron who didn't notice or didn't mind will use it. I wonder why there are so many people there. If I'm not pressed for time, I'd look for another place to eat.

We reached my office parking area at dusk. Luckily there's a working torch light in my brother's car. I have a torch light too but no battery. Duh! The Indian mechanic looked like a nice guy. After a while, he got a phone call probably from his boss. I exchanged glances with my brother when he fluently speaks in Chinese. Then my brother asked whether he can speak Tamil. He said yes. Hmmm... how I wish I can speak another language too.

Problem discovered, the earth wire/cable breaks. It got corroded from the leaking battery water. My brother looked at me. I said don't look at me. When I send my car for service, those people put in the battery water until very full. Not between the min and max level. They probably thought since I'm a lady driver, I wouldn't check my battery water very often. Maybe even never. They can help by putting the battery water until it is full. I've noticed this but didn't say anything because they probably know what they're doing. Now I know better.

So the Indian mechanic tried to find some ways to fix the broken cable. It's dark, only my brother's torchlight lit him while he did his work. I pity him. There's no shop nearby or I would buy some bottled drinks for him. I share my half bottle of water with my brother. It is getting very late. I can see the lights from the KL Tower not very far away. It's not that hazy last night. Not long after that, another Chinese mechanic from the same workshop came on motorbike to give him a hand. They finally fix it and charged me RM50 for it. The revving of the engine sounds like music to my ears. The mechanic brought only one helmet so my brother will send the Indian mechanic back to his workshop. Then I discovered another problem. All the signal lights are not working, the horn is not working and my brother almost left. I waved frantically and the Indian mechanic saw me. Looks like the job is not over yet. We called the Chinese mechanic again. Sigh!

They decided to bring my car back to their workshop. It is not far but the night traffic is very heavy. It's Friday night and tomorrow is first Saturday. Probably everyone is driving down to KL. The Chinese mechanic drove my car and I sit beside him. He fears the engine might die. My brother drives behind us. So we drove without any signal lights whatsoever. I felt so relieved when we reached the workshop. I opened my back car door and sit while my brother watched them. I felt so tired. They finally fixed the problem some time after 9 p.m. If I have more money, I'd give them extra just by looking at them work. It is hard work. Sweat run down from their faces and bodies. No one stopped for a drink. Only one cigarette after another. It almost felt unfair isn't it when some worked so hard and earning very little while others worked in an air-conditioned room and earned more.

Despite being philosophical, I'm not rich. This is already an unexpected expenses to me. So I'll just give my prayers to them. Today, I have to go to another workshop to fix the cable properly. Foreseeing this, I have to be careful with money. Who knows how much they'll charge me. I reached home a few minutes before 10 last night. I waited for my brother again this afternoon. He said he already talked to the workshop and asked them to order or get the cable ready. I'm very lucky to have a brother whom I can depend on in situations like this. They told him they'll use a makeshift cable and not the original. It'll be cheaper. If it is fine with my brother, it is fine with me. I can now drive my car without worrying about a broken cable anymore. The charge is less than RM50.

Unlucky:
- The earth cable broke
- Have to spend for unexpected expenses
- Have to miss the night market so my mom can't have what she ordered

Lucky:
- It happened after work and not before going to work or I'll be in trouble
- It's not a working day tomorrow
- My brother is free when my car won't start
- We found a workshop not very far from the place
- My brother has a working torchlight
- The police did not stop us while driving to the workshop without any signal lights
- Nothing happened while driving to the workshop without any signal lights
- The unexpected expenses is less than RM100
- I'm supposed to go outstation yesterday but it was canceled. If I go, this problem might occur on Monday morning
- There's a nearby restaurant while waiting for the mechanic or my head will be pounding due to an empty stomach
- I have a dependable brother
- It's not raining
- The haze is not heavy like two days before
- We found nice and hardworking mechanics
- Sometimes I go sheeshee like a leaking tap. I have to go like every half an hour. Last night I was fine. Luckily I didn't drink coffee during teatime.

I'm just counting my lucky stars :)

Headache and Hair Salon

I've just cut my hair. The last time I cut my hair is here. Unlike last time, today it is a spontaneous decision while driving back from work. I had a pounding headache since afternoon and the bridge of my nose can't take the weight of my specs anymore. I noticed I have frequent headaches lately. The weight of my hair could be a contributing factor to my headaches. It may not be but I don't really care. I really can't stand the headaches anymore.

I'm even thinking of using contact lenses. I had to take off and put on my specs many times today. When the weight on the bridge of my nose is too painful to bear, I'd take it off. I have never felt like this before. If the headache persists after cutting my hair, I'd consider the contact lenses. I've never worn one before. My eyes are very sensitive. I don't think contact lens is a good idea. When I have allergies, my eyes would get red and itchy, I'm sure wearing contact lenses would be very inconvenient. I might accidentally rub my eyes with the contact lenses on it but I'd give it a try.

I had to drive around my area to look for a non-unisex hair salon. I don't frequent hair salons. My hair is very low maintenance. There are many salons to choose from but I decided to stop near one hair salon without the word unisex. I'm quite surprised when I see my brother's car. I thought I'd see him at one of his favorite restaurant but I couldn't see a glimpse of him so I decided to just go to the salon located on the first floor of the building. The door to the salon is glass and what I saw made me stop for a while. That looks like my brother with his hair wrapped up with a towel. My brother in the salon????

He couldn't turn his head so I stand outside the door for quite some time just to be sure. I was standing outside the door and smiling. Almost felt like laughing. My brother a metro sexual male??? OKlah he's just having his long hair washed but still the idea of seeing him in a salon makes me want to laugh. I pushed the door open and he saw me. I don't remember what we said to each other but the two girls thought we're a couple. Whenever I walk with my brother, people will think we're a couple. Can't they see our similarities? I wonder.

Only one of my friend spotted our similarities immediately. We're schoolmates. She has never met my brother. The first time she saw him and get to know his name, she asked whether he has a sister blablabla and she's right. Anyway, back to the salon, if my brother is there, it means that is a unisex hair salon. At first, I 'm not sure whether I should cut my hair there but since there is no one else but my brother and the two girls, I thought it'd be OK. Half way of cutting my hair, two men came. Oh oh... not like I could run away so I stayed. One looked like a gangster. I'm glad my brother is there.

I didn't plan to wash my hair but after seeing my brother getting his neck and shoulder massaged, I decided to wash my hair too. With a pounding head, who would pass that up? My brother waited until I'm done and paid for it. He later told me the guy who looked like a gangster is a cop from Sg. Buloh. He has seen him around. A police looking like that? Anyway, not that I've met a real life gangsters before. My brother said he has no problem spotting him as a cop so probably we need a gangster looking cop to catch a gangster. Having said that, a cop in a salon??? There's more to the story but I'll let you wonder :)

My head is still pounding. Maybe what I need is a sleep. I'll think about the contact lenses tomorrow. Which one should I wear? Disposables? Non disposables? 14days? 1 month? Blue? Brown? Before my headache gets worse, I better stop now.

Criteria of a Husband???

Those days...

- Good voice during azan
- Good family background
- Physically fit to take care of the family

These days...

- They can karaoke
- Good shopping companion
- Physically strong

Hmmm...

Note: Only those who watched 'Mencari Cinta' will see the relevance of this entry :)

Overheard At The Night Market

Woman: Manalaaahhh ayah korang ni? Tak nampak pun kepala botak dia tu.
Few seconds later...
Children: Ma, tu ayah ma! Tu ayah! (Squeal in laughter upon sighting their bald father apparently)

I didn't get to see the bald father though coz I'm walking in the opposite direction. But I can't help but laugh upon hearing that piece of conversation. I'm wondering though whether the mother meant that as terms of endearment or the opposite. But the children will accept their father's distinctive feature lovingly I'm sure :)

Rendang Masin

Oh goreng lempeng, lempengnya hangus.
Oh goreng lempeng, lempengnya hangus...

That's part of a song's lyrics and yes; there is such a song. Full lyrics here. That lyrics kept playing in my head when my rendang turned salty today. I have a cravings for ketupat and rendang since a few days ago so decided to cook them today. Unfortunately the rendang turned a bit salty. I must eat very little of the rendang with the ketupat or else the saltiness will be a bit too much. Sigh!


'Clever' me decided to put extra salt since most of my cooking lacks salt and I ended up having to add in extra later. So in order to save myself the 'extra' work, why not put extra salt in the beginning. Except this time, I use less than half kilograms of meat so I don't really need the extra salt. So much for saving myself the 'extra' work.

Yellow Is Me...

I almost can't believe this. Unlike other color quizzes that has internal clues to the answer generator like preferred weather, fruits and things like that, this one is so varied and yet, the answer is...

YELLOW You are very perceptive and smart. You are clear and to the point and have a great sense of humor. You are always learning and searching for understanding. Find out your color at Quiz Me!

I'm so impressed.

Pre-Birthday Thoughts

Today is the last day I can say I'm 30. This is not something I can repeat unless I've a time machine. And even if I do have a time machine, traveling through parallel world and everything, age will become immaterial then. I've been alive for 3 decades! I thought I want to buy myself nice clothes so I can wear it tomorrow. Shopping again? Well, all the new clothes I bought, I've worn them. That's the least I can do for myself since I can't take any leave yet (Normally, I'd spend the day doing something I want to do). But... nothing caught my eyes. I ended up buying a new nail clipper. My favorite nail clipper is still useful but it is so old I thought I should buy a spare just in case.

While clipping one of my toenail and using the blade to cut off part of the nails not accessible by the clipper, I cut my toe. Ow! Ow! Ow! Very painful one! Especially if the toe becomes wet. Actually, just a nick at an area used to be covered by a nail but it bleeds a little and it is still painful. Anyway, I thought... can't there be anything more interesting as my pre-birthday thoughts? I've been so busy and so tired lately. All I wanted to do is sleep early and wake up early to go to work. Having flu didn't help much either. I'm OK now but a few days ago the effect of the flu medication and full day training is making me feel like a zombie. No time to think. All I want is sleep. Even blogging is done sparsely these past few weeks. I expect it to continue for quite some time.

Back to thoughts, let's think of nice things. I got some early birhtday wishes from an ex-bf and a few friends. It is nice to be remembered especially on birthdays isn't it? As for my ex-bf, I hope he remembers his wife's birthday :)

OK! I'm rambling. I can't remember what's my point and I don't really care right now. After I post this, I'll go to sleep. Not as early as I wish but there are chores to do and they can't wait. Till tomorrow, Good Nite everyone.

Surprises When You Join 'Mencari Cinta'

1. One of the guy is someone whom you've went out with quite some time ago and things didn't take off then. To make things worse, he didn't recognize who you are at first. Probably because he has went out with many other women after that, that he has forgotten your face.
   
2. One of the guy used to be your mom's young adorer but she's not into young men so she said no to him. That's why he's looking for someone now.
   
3. One of the guy is someone you almost hit with your fist a long time ago for being so obnoxious. Sense of decorum prevents you from doing that.
   
4. One of the guy is your boss's son and you've managed to escape from any of your boss's advances so far.
   
5. One of the guy is your eligible bachelor boss.
   
6. One of the guy is your stepbrother and you're never close with him.
   
7. One of the guy is your best friend's ex and you've always believe she's better off without him.
   
8. One of the guy is your sister's abusive ex.
   
9. One of the guy is your ex. You break off with him when you discover he is cheating you.
   
10. One of the guy used to be your brother's not so secret 'secret admirer' and you've always laughed at your brother for having to fend off any attention from him.

Hired Till You're Retired or Die, Whichever Comes First

In all the job I'm in, I've never thought I'd retire with that company. Stability of a job has never been one of the points I consider in a job. There are so many things for us to see, learn and experience in this world. Why bind ourselves to a place especially if we didn't enjoy it? Is that how we appreciate our life? By putting up with the unnecessary, unproductive stress, and the *astards and *itches? Please pardon the language I used but it IS painful to watch someone who is in that position.

If people are passionate for a cause, they will put up with anything to achieve what they want. If people love their business or career, they'll work hard for it. People in the above cases, will work at what they believe in until they retire or die whichever comes first. They'll climb the corporate ladder until they became someone on the top most position. They'll take care of their business and expand it. If you're not in the abovementioned cases, you have no reason to stay. If you like what you're doing but your work place sucks, you have no reason to stay too unless you can only do what you do in the company you're working in now (the one that sucks). Otherwise, other organization may appreciate your skills and experience. Make a move. Same career, similar job description, different organization.

Why do we need to bother with the hassle of moving on to another place and do the same thing? Because we love our life and ourselves. Our job takes a bulk of our life and we want to make it a pleasant experience. Because despite the general perception that wherever you work people will be the same, you might be lucky and found an organization where people are different and nice. Or maybe similar but not that bad. Because we want to enjoy life to the fullest and a happy work place is part of it. Because we want to be physically and mentally healthy. A work place that drains our energy might not be good for our long-term physical and mental health.

Do you think you have no choice? Is that why you're stuck at your current job, going through the motion of waking up, go to work, and come back from work every day? It might be difficult but I believe if we try hard, we will find something that we love doing. We will find something that makes all the pain and hardship worth it. Be brave and make that move. It may take 6 months; it may take 1 year from now. But if you're persistent, I'm sure something good will come your way. If you never try, never make the first step, why do you wonder about your situation? Things will not change if someone didn't do something right?

What brings this about? I saw someone who is having a tough time with his job. If he took the personality assessment quiz that matches personality with a suitable job, I'm sure the result will say he did not match his current job at all. He looked so stressed, his subordinate didn't respect him, he's having a tough time answering to his superior, he's not efficient in doing his job, I wonder why he stayed. I didn't believe he's incompetent. I think he can do well if he did something that matches his personality. I think many people who is having a tough time at work can perform better if they do something more suitable with their personality. But for some reason, many choose to stay and endure.

Many people believe this world is like a big stage. Everyone in them is the actors and actresses. Why do we choose to be the suffering actors/actresses? Why do we choose to be the actors and actresses playing the sad part? We're the director of our movie so why don't we make happy movies for ourselves. Everyone has some limitations, which are the things we are powerless to change. Even the movie directors. They might not have the budget they wish for, the weather may decide not to cooperate, and they might not get the approval from the local authorities, to name a few. But we can still make the best of what we have. So let's make happy movies for ourselves.

Eye Feast

What do you do when you're stuck with a complex four days training? Sleep, SMS or playing games quietly on your handphone is out. Not that I want to do all that. I really need the knowledge imparted during the training. But having something to look forward to during the training really helps. In my case, I'm lucky to have someone to 'cuci mata' on hehehe...

He caught my gaze. I keep my composure for a few seconds and then look away. Must not be too obvious lah kan. He is sooooo.... handsome. Just like a younger version of Ridzuan Hashim with a balding head. Some men with a balding head can be very attractive. Ridzuan Hashim is a good example. Having a long hair at the side and swept over the head to cover the baldness is a big NO-NO. The guy that I feast my eyes on has just the right amount of all the right spices. That didn't sound right written in English. In other words, cukuplah garam gulanya :)

We sit in groups and he sat at another group so there is no chance for us to communicate. Mixing business with pleasure is not my style so this will not go beyond 'cuci mata' lah. Whenever I feel like I need a break from staring at the trainer, the notes or the slides, I'll just steal a glance at him sitting at the back. Hmmm... such a perfect God creation :)

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Ahahahaha... I'm laughing at all the guys telling the criteria of the women of their dream in the 'Mencari Cinta' first episode. Criteria macam2 but they themselves with a so-so look and ada yang belum kahwin dah boroi ahahahaha.... Oh oh... don't want to comment so much lah.

Red Lights Please...

Have you ever noticed when you want something to happen, most often it will not? Even something as trivial as a red traffic light. Why would anyone wants a red traffic light? Everyone wants green right? Well, so do I. But in some situation, a red traffic light can be useful too. On the way back from office today I yawned so wide, the tudung brooch under my chin 'popped out'. The pin of the brooch was broken and there is no way to repair it. Does that show how big my yawn is or how cheap the brooch is or both? Hehehe...

It is OK if I don't have to stop anywhere but home, but in this case I need to refuel. I remember I've stashed an extra brooch in the car somewhere just in case but I did not remember where I put it. So I rummage the places within my reach while driving and hoping for a red traffic light. But when you wish for red, I get a green one all the way. When it's red, it feels like a short time as compared to when you want a green traffic light instead. And at the only red traffic light I had, I was in front so I have to be aware of the time when the light turns green or I'll get honk. I know I will give a honk if the driver in front of me is too slow to react to the traffic light so I will not do the same mistake.

I remembered once, I bought a lasagna from Pizza Hut to eat while driving. I'm in a hurry and quite famished. I hope I can get red traffic lights so I can stop to enjoy the lasagna but I got green traffic light all the way. It was so difficult to use a plastic spoon on the hot lasagna while driving and eating it but I managed to do it somehow.

Back to the tudung, I tried rearranging it a different way but it didn't really work. I really need a brooch. Finally, I found the extra brooch when I stopped at a petrol station. I did not refuel at that station though coz I can't use credit card at the pump. I've never use their petrol before and I never thought a petrol station in a civilized area can survive without upgrading their pump to accept credit card payment. Not just the chip based one but any credit card for that matter. The next petrol station, which I have only use their petrol once or twice before, also have to pay at the counter. Errr... too lazy to walk to the counter lah.

Finally, the 3rd petrol station accepted credit card. This is not the petrol station that advertises they accept chip-based card during the news OK. I never used this petrol before too and they also accepted chip based card! What a surprise. The way 'that' petrol station advertises during prime time news, I thought theirs is the only station that accepted chip-based card at the pump. I used 'that' petrol by the way and the few times I went to my second favorite petrol station, I've to pay at the counter too. So that gives me the impression that they're the only station who has upgraded their pump.

Before anyone commented on my lack of cash, "nak bayar cash pun tak mampu, nak jugak pakai credit card", I have about RM150 in my purse (beginning of the month maaa... hehehe...) but I prefer to use credit card so I can sort of keep track of my expenses. How come I ended up talking about petrol station when I wanted to talk about red traffic light? Back to that traffic light, I feel compelled to write something insightful and philosophical about the traffic light. We need a moral of the story at the end of a story right? So here goes...

Just like I need a red traffic light sometimes when driving on the way to my destination so I can find or enjoy something while in the car, we also needed red traffic lights in our life so we can take a break to reflect on things, find our purpose in life or enjoy the moment, stop to smell the roses some would say before we get to our final destination in life. Cheeewah... did that sound insightful and philosophical enough? Hehehehe...

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This is unrelated to the above entry. I fell asleep while waiting for the rice to cook at about 8pm yesterday and woke up 10 hours later. Whooaaaa.... probably my body needed some time to adjust to the change of routine and the extra stress of having to drive to the city center. I never have to drive to the city center to work before. I did have to cross the city center to go to work quite a long time ago but this time, city center IS my destination.

4th of July

Many will remember this date as 'the' Independence Day but today it has a new meaning to me. This is the day I started my new job :)

The feeling sure is different from the time when I started working last time. Working part time during semester break is nothing new to me but the feeling of working at a new place full time was overwhelming. Today, probably due to maturity (or more accurately put, older in age) or the welcoming way of everyone, I felt more relaxed. Just take things one day at a time. Before long, I'll acquire all the necessary headache but for now, I'm just going to enjoy the ride.

Having been involved in Information Management System for quite a number of years, I can't help but think of better solutions to the numerous forms I have to fill in and the numerous manuals I've to read. Anyway, I'll leave all that as it is for now. I have a lot to learn myself. So here begins the new chapter...

Shop Till You Drop...Literally

I went to change my IC to MyKad yesterday. Since my turn will only be in the afternoon, I decided to go shopping. But it's only 8.40 so I doubt there's any shopping complex that is already opened. I went to Telekom to finally register for my Streamyx and reported that my phone has got no dial tone since the previous day. No sound whatsoever. Tried calling 1050 from my handphone but keep getting Network Busy message. As for the Streamyx, I'm in no hurry to register because there is none available at my area yet. Since I've to wait for 8 months before I finally get a phone, I don't have a very high expectation with the Streamyx application. But I have the time, so off to Kedai Telekom I go. Oh they've change name by the way. It's called TM Point now.

I completed everything I've to do by about 9.30. I'm sure the shopping complex is still not opened yet but decided to go to a place nearest to the TM Point and read newspaper in the car hahaha... So semangat to go shopping. I've never waited for a shopping complex to open before. A few cleaners look curiously at the person sitting in the car reading newspaper but decided to ignore them. They finally opened the lights and doors at 10 but I don't feel like going in yet. It would show how eager I was to shop so decided to let few minutes pass while continue reading the newspaper. Finally, decided to go in at about 10.20 after seeing few people going in. I'm not sure whether they work there or come to shop but when I saw a lady with a baby, I decided it's time to shop.

Wahhh... quite a lot of people already. I thought I'll be among the first 10 shoppers there. I went to have my breakfast at the food court to make sure I have enough energy to shop later. Not crowded, the place looks very nice and cozy. There are only two other people having breakfast there. After fueling, it's time to shop till I drop. To who ever still remember I've said I don't like shopping, you should see me yesterday. I can't remember how many times I went to the fitting room, trying on numerous blouses, jackets, pants and skirt. Who said shopping is easy? I wouldn't do it if I don't have to. OK OK... nobody is pointing a gun at my head to shop but I really have to update my wardrobe for the new job, remember?

There is the issue of me putting on weight, rendering many clothes too tight to wear. There is also the issue of me not really like to shop and has been quite informal at the office. Many of the clothes I wear can start going to Standard One now if they have to go to school. Most of the pants and skirts are bought when I started working. The blouses are relatively new but not suitable for a formal office setting. So a shopping I have to go. It was tiring. I felt like someone from 'What Not To Wear' program. Except this time, the money is mine. No one to give RM2000 for me to spent.


Look at the not so sensible shoes...
Combining what I bought yesterday with previous day after work (final day at old office) and the previous weekend, I ended up with 3 pair of shoes, 2 pants, 2 jacket, 2 blouses, 1 baju kurung, 3 tudung and no more money in the purse and bank. Not to mention, aching body and feet. It took so much effort for me to wait for my turn at the JPN office. My worry is whether the photo in my MyKad will show how tired and worn out I look. If if turned out ugly, I'll have a reason to tell people next time hehe... I went back to my apartment for a short rest. It's Friday so decided to go to the night market to buy dinner and have a look around. I'm beat, there's no way I can whipped up something for dinner and I didn't take lunch so I better not have Maggi as dinner.

When I reached home again, I don't feel like I have any more energy to move. So this is what 'shop till you drop' felt like. I lie down for a while, take a warm shower and lie down again. Take my dinner and massage my feet. Oh heaven it felt so good but my hands got tired and can't massage anymore. I thought I wanted to shop again today but decided against it. My body can't take the torture anymore. I'm down with a flu today. Could be due to lack of water or can't stand the grueling torture of shopping yesterday. So I only lazed around at home today but will go to my mom's place in the evening. I still have 1 or 2 more items to buy but we'll have to see if I'm up to it tomorrow after coming back from my mom's place.

Note: My phone line is OK by afternoon today. Good job Telekom.

Today's Ramblings

World, I'm blogging from my new notebook :) I was considering between Acer and ThinkPad but ended up with a Twinhead instead. Well, since no one wants to give this as my hantaran, have to buy my own notebook lah kan. I hope we'll have a great time blogging together :D

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I've spent one whole day installing programs and transferring files yesterday. Some is still outstanding...

- transfer my Outlook Express message, address book and account setting
- install Firefox and transfer my existing bookmark with links to my favorite blogs
- install Image Ready 3.0 for image editing purpose
- install XML Spy 3.5 and Cooktop for my XML and XSLT needs
- install Blog for my blog drafting purpose
- install Express Thumbnail Creator, a useful program if you want to create online album
- install Phone Tools where I can use my notebook as a fax, I like the interface
- install SendToX ShellExt, easier for me to copy files
- install Real Player and QuickTime
- install my digital camera software, must find the CD at mom's place
- install Filezilla, HTMLHelp, Yahoo Messenger, Nokia PC Suite and MS-Office
- transfer all files in My Documents and other folders

pheewww....

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This morning saw some scratches on my car!!!! Ggrrrrr... Stooopid, stooopid people with nothing better to do, I curse a spell that you'll grow warts on your butt and forehead. Serves you right!

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Today is my second last day at work. How do I feel? A little disbelief and a lot of relief. I can't believe after 5 years, I will not work here errr... there anymore. I felt a huge burden lifted from my shoulders too. I know there'll be new headaches but I'll not worry about it now. My past headaches will be in the past... Yeay... *sigh a huge relief*

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Heard this song on the way back from work. Beautiful lyrics and very easy on the ears.

Singer: Uji Rashid (Ahmad Wan Yet / Zain Mahmood)
Song: Mengapa Dirindu

Anak punai anak merbah
Terbang turun buat sarang
Anak sungai pun berubah
Ini pula hati orang
Mengapa dikenang

Asal kapas jadi benang
Dari benang dibuat baju
Barang lepas jangan kenang
Sudah jadi orang baru
Mengapa dirindu

Kasih yang dulu tinggal dalam mimpi
Kasih yang baru simpan di hati
Kasih yang dulu tinggal dalam mimpi
Kasih yang baru simpan di hati

Selat teduh lautan tenang
Banyak labuh perahu Aceh
Jangan kesal jangan kenang
Walau hati rasa pedih
Mengapa bersedih

Kalau pinang masih muda
Rasanya kelat sudahlah pasti
Kalau hilang kasih lama
Cari lain untuk ganti
Mengapa dinanti

Patah 'kan tumbuh hilang berganti
Akan sembuh kalau diubati
Patah 'kan tumbuh hilang berganti
Akan sembuh kalau diubati

Sayang mengapa dirindu

Are You Single and Bored?

It's too late to talk about my weekend but I'm going to talk about it anyway since my weekend activity lead me to think about this issue. I met an ex school mate on Saturday afternoon for a drink and chit chat, went shopping with my univ friend on Sunday and then met my brother to go notebook hunting. The weekend before that I went to PD and the weekend before PD a friend came to overnight at my place. My other weekend activities would include going back to my mom's place, getting a massage, family gathering at my place, bowling or lazing around the apartment when I did not feel like going out.

My ex school mate asked what did I do during weekend. Didn't I get bored? By the way, she's happily married with two daughters so I forgive her for thinking single ladies over the age of 30 lead a boring life. It also didn't help her in forming a correct impression of the singles' lifestyle when one of her single colleague always whines about not having anything to do but sleep and watch TV during weekend. He thought getting married will solve his 'boring' problem. I beg to differ.

I've read somewhere, if you're boring or bored before you're married, getting hitched will not make you or your life interesting... or, something that sounds like that. I hate it when I couldn't find the original source because I remember the concept and the general idea, but not the exact wordings and it may not sound right when I use my own words. But at least you get the general idea so you just have to trust me on this. I agree with the sayings completely. Not to say I'm an interesting person but I did not want to look back at my life and see someone who did not make any difference whatsoever with her existence in this world by not contributing anything to anyone, even to herself. So far, I can say I've led a relatively interesting single life.

I like to do things but being a woman I have to be careful with the activities I want to do. My mom would shake her head at some of the things I did, I would argue with her over some of the things I want to do or already did, and even though I pretty much do anything I want as long as I think it's safe, I'm still careful. I'm not going to let mom said "I told you so". In this regard, sometimes I wish I'm a man so I can do things that I have to think many times before doing because I'm a woman and it's not safe. But here, my friend's male colleague whines about being single and bored. I also knew a guy, let's call him John Doe (JD for short), who pretty much whines about the same thing. He's a dear friend but sometimes I'm surprised with his thought process. Hello?? What is happening to single guys out there?

There are so many things you can do! Contribute your time to an orphanage, join an environmental organization if you're keen on the environment, take up a hobby, any hobby, and join related club so you can share hobbies with people of similar interest, gather a few friends for any games or outing, anything lah. But YOU have to do something about it. At one time, JD kinda latched himself onto me because I manage to think of activities to do during weekend. I'm not sure whether it's interesting to him but at least he got something to do rather than stay at home and watch TV. I appreciate his company because having him around put me on a notch higher on the security scale. Not to say I trust he can do silat or kuntau if we're surrounded by thugs but at least, one of us can scream our lungs out or run to get help.

But after some time I think I have too much of JD in my system. One weekend I told him I need female companionship. He tried his best to convince me he can be as good as any female for companionship but I told him I need a 'real' female companionship. Don't get me wrong, he's very straight and I'm straight but we can just be friends. We still are very good friends. And I really need female companionship. I think only female understands this. Talking to a female and a male is different, no matter how understanding he appears to be. Anyway, that is a different issue. After that, I still include him in some of my activities if it is appropriate but at other times, he has to entertain himself. I've reached a level where I'm lazy to think and plan for any activities because almost every time, I'm the only one who plans. I love to plan things and I'm quite good at it but after some time, I got tired of it too because I feel as if everyone expected me to plan interesting activities for one weekend after another.

My friends did tease me with JD but I always tell them we can just be good friends. Our personality clashes. They said probably I didn't see how JD and I complement each other. I told them no way or I'll be a bad nagging wife and will not enter the Paradise for that. Anyway, now I know JD is not the only male who has this 'boring' syndrome. Whenever he whines, I become practical and suggest things he can do with his weekend, his defense will be I'm different because I'm a female. Duh! *slaps forehead* Here I think being a man, you can do many more things as compared to me and he said I can do all the things I do because I'm a woman?? Is this a classic case of the grass is always greener on the other side?

Anyway, I'm writing about this to remind us that WE have to take charge of our life. If we want to make it boring, don't do anything but sit in front of the TV every weekend. No wonder I can't meet eligible single guys out there if the few male sample I met or know represents what the majority of single male population do on weekends hahaha... If we want life to be interesting, WE have to make it interesting and not depend on other people or circumstances. JD did take some of my advice whether he wants to admit it or not by joining paint ball game, futsal and few other activities when I did not include him in mine. That is a good start for him.

This personality clash is not to be taken lightly. Just imagine you like outdoor activities and you ended up with a guy whose idea of outdoor activities is watching it on TV or you like eating out and experiment with food while he only wants to stay at home and have home cooked meal or you're adventurous and he's not. I can only see disaster waiting to happen. This might not be the reason for a volcanic eruption but it might contribute bit by bit, and combined with other factors, will be a recipe for a catastrophe.

So you see, if you're boring or bored when you're single, getting married will not solve your problem. In order to avoid personality clashes, you should find someone who shares your interest. If you're a couch potato and you find another couch potato to marry, come weekend they'll be two people fighting for the right on the couch to be the ultimate couch potato. If you think that adds a bit more spice to your life, I have no problem with that. If you think you can now alternately stare at the TV and your spouse for the extra spice in your life, I have no problem with that too. But if that picture did not sound 'interesting' to you, you better do something about it. Start with yourself.

Surround yourself with different type of people, get a hobby, develop an interest or two. Life will get more interesting and you'll probably meet more interesting people. Did I sound like some motivational guru already? I better stop here then. But before I really end, do get out and find interesting things to do.

Extra Notes:
If you're boring – you are an uninteresting person
If you're bored – you could be interesting but sometime unable to find activities that interests you

So are you boring or bored? Either one, YOU have to do something about it.

Found

I found him :) Or more accurately put, he found me.... from 'the ad' hehehe... Please, please, please don't envy me. Didn't we look great together? :D

Ad: Husband Wanted

Puteri dah ada calon so she proposed. Since I don't have one ('calon' that is), I might as well put up a "Husband Wanted" ad :)

HUSBAND WANTED! No special skills required. Will train!

I'm not fussy about the 'hantaran". As long as you can come up with this (17" will do... drools) and don't have this (actually there's more but I'll let you know as I discover it), I'll accept your proposal hehehehe...

Why you should marry me?

- Some friends have said I look like these personalities. So, acceptable looking lah kan. Line perasan hehehe... (They are my good friends so they probably overlook my flaws).
- Tall and slim. I'm shrinking vertically and expanding horizontally but you don't have to know that :)
- I'm loyal. I can get testimonial if you like.
- I can cook... sikit-sikit. I'll not become an international chef but with practise I'm sure I can be reasonably good. No?
- I can give a good massage (but Mawi is too young for me heh). Refer here for relevance to Mawi.
- I like cleaning up the house from top to bottom.... once in a while. That means you'll get a clean house (once in a while) and I will not nag if you're messy like leaving the clothes whenever you feel it's convenient for you, papers strewn everywhere and yesterday's dishes in the sink to name a few
- Stable job; I do not depend on men for money so you don't have to be earning big bucks.
- I can handle intelligent conversation. I read blogs. There loads of information in blogs right?
- I'm resilient. Read this, this and this. This is a good quality to protect family and brave the challenges the world throws at us.
- I blog. Just imagine when we're 80 and surrounded with grandkids, we don't really have to repeat stories of our life to them. We can just say, "Go read nenek's blog". How cool can such grandparents be :) We don't even have to pay people to write our biographies. It's all in the blog.

But since I'll be spending most of my time appreciating my hantaran by blogging with it whenever I have free time, some of the things mentioned in the list above will be neglected. Read: Let's eat out or let's get a maid.

* hantaran - wedding gift